on anything he threw a leg over. And the same goes for
Romain. But, the concept is food for thought.

All of the championship-winning bikes that I have tested over the years were blazing fast, but riding Romain

Febvre’s YZ450FM proves that there is more than one
way to skin a cat (although I don’t know why anyone
would want cat skin). Febvre’s success proves that star
power alone doesn’t make a bike great. Sometimes a
racer has to think outside the box to get his bike to work
for him, even if it is just for him and him alone. ❏

ROMAIN FEBVRE’S
MXDN-WINNING
YAMAHA YZ450FM

WE RIDE

The factory KYB air forks were plush when you wanted them
to be and stiff when you needed it. The best of both worlds.

The cockpit of Romain’s bike was peculiar with its sweptback bars and massive play in the throttle.

Romain’s engine purrs like a
kitten rather than roaring like
a lion. The 2015 450 World
Champ prefers a smooth
easy-to-ride powerband over
brute horsepower.